He was great. He’s always been great. It’s what we expect, right? Of course! And he didn’t disappoint.
He’s turning 77 years old, so excusing a few occasional weak notes is easy. You wouldn’t be as generous to a lesser artist, but this is Sir Paul. Such a pro. Rock royalty. A freakin’ Beatle.
Only he can tell the stories of the first recording he ever made as a member of the pre-Beatles “Quarrymen”. Only he knows first hand accounts of Jimi Hendrix performing “Sgt. Pepper” live the very weekend of it’s release. And only he can sing the touching memorial to John Lennon, “Here Today”.
It occurred to me at his latest concert June 14 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, he’s been doing this for over 60 years. 95% of it has been on the international stage. While most artists of his era (and even since) have moved on, burned out, or passed away, he continues to give. And give. And give.
With a seemingly endless series of tours over the past five decades as a solo act, (oh, sure there was Wings, and they were awesome, but we all came to see Paul) he never tires of bringing the hits that changed the world.
The “Hard Day’s Night” opener. The explosive “Live and Let Die” fireworks display. The classic “Hey Jude” sing along. Much of the show contained elements we’ve come to know and love. But this latest offering had some unique moments.
He typically reads out loud the signs the crowd brings. When he read the one saying, “Happy birthday, Paul”, the audience broke into a spontaneous chorus of “Happy Birthday”, by which he was genuinely appreciative.
Introducing a new song, he joked, “We know what people want. When we play the old stuff, all the phones light up. But when we play a new song, utter darkness.” Yet when he kicked off “Come On to Me” from his latest project “Egypt Station”, little by little the stadium lit up like stars in the galaxy in a beautiful tribute of support.
Finally, trying hard to take it all in and appreciate the whole experience, there was “Let It Be”. That’s when I broke. Just a little.
There are a lot of reasons.
Yeah, I’ve seen him many times. I know all his songs, I was familiar with much of the show. But this guy has provided me and millions of others with so much joy FOR OUR ENTIRE LIVES, it’s a very special opportunity to witness him tell his stories again, sing his incredible soundtrack…
And take yet another bow.
Mona and I got to see him in Shreveport last year, and the concert shirts always crack me up: New York! London! Berlin! Tokyo! Shreveport! One of these things is not like the others. 😉
I think, beyond the obvious greatness of his music, part of Paul’s appeal is that he is always upbeat, always positive. Especially these days– when it feels like the world is always trying to drag us down, always wants us to be angry and upset– he’s like an oasis. His music takes us back to what’s important.
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